What is it about mountains that can touch something so profound within us? Why are we willing to hike, climb, cycle, sweat, and push ourselves through difficult terrain simply to reach a summit or viewpoint in these remote and rugged landscapes?

Perhaps George Leigh Mallory, one of the best-known pioneers of mountaineering who ultimately disappeared on Mount Everest, captured the answer most effectively. When asked why anyone would climb Everest, he famously explained that there was no practical reason to do so. What mattered was the pure happiness that came from the adventure itself. For Mallory, joy was ultimately one of the central purposes of life. We do not eat or earn money simply for their own sake; we do these things so that we can experience and appreciate life.

If you want to discover the kind of happiness Mallory described, these five legendary mountain ranges offer an extraordinary place to begin. Each has its own history, traditions, cultures, landscapes, and stories, as well as a beauty that is impossible to ignore.

Whether you choose to explore with Backroads and draw on decades of experience traveling through these celebrated regions, or prefer to create your own independent adventure into the world’s great mountain landscapes, these destinations deserve a place on any traveler’s list.

1. The Pyrenees

Stretching from the Bay of Biscay to the Mediterranean, the Pyrenees form a dramatic natural divide between France and Spain. Their highest summit rises to more than 11,100 feet.

This rugged geographical barrier also played an important role in shaping the cultural development of the Iberian Peninsula. The separation created by the mountains contributed to the preservation of distinctive and relatively independent cultures, including influences that connect Spain and Portugal with their history across the Mediterranean and beyond.

Travelers can explore the heart of Basque Country by bicycle, experiencing a proud culture shaped by Spanish, French, and local traditions while enjoying a glass of Rioja. Another option is to hike through the rugged landscapes of Catalonia, where historic architecture and fresh seafood add a cultural dimension to the journey.

Whether you explore the region on a bicycle, on foot, or by combining both, the Pyrenees offer a fascinating meeting point between dramatic geography and vibrant human traditions.

2. The Alps

Few mountain systems in the world extend across as many different countries as the Alps. They stretch through France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Monaco, and Liechtenstein, while also giving rise to several of Europe’s major rivers, including the Rhine and the Rhone.

The Alps can be experienced in countless ways. In Switzerland, you might take a cable car toward a hiking trail and combine spectacular alpine scenery with flower-filled meadows and indulgent Swiss chocolate.

In the French and Italian Alps, a mountain hike can be paired with a cappuccino and extraordinary views. Slovenia’s Julian Alps offer opportunities to cycle through dramatic landscapes dotted with cliffs and castles.

For a completely different perspective, travelers can take a river cruise along the Rhine. The water flowing beneath the boat may have begun its journey as snowmelt high in the Alps.

With such an enormous variety of landscapes, activities, and cultures, the different ways of experiencing the Alps can seem almost as impressive as the mountains themselves.

3. The Rockies

The Rocky Mountains extend for roughly 3,000 miles, reaching from Canada all the way to New Mexico. Their enormous peaks rise above 13,000 feet and form the backdrop for some of North America’s most spectacular national parks, monuments, and wilderness areas.

In many parts of the Rockies, traveling by bicycle or on foot is among the best ways, and sometimes the only practical way, to experience the landscape closely.

Some of North America’s remaining glaciers survive high in the mountains above adventure-oriented communities such as Banff, Jasper, and Whitefish. The immense rivers of ice that shaped these mountains thousands of years ago are reflected in mountain lakes ranging from Lake Louise in Canada to Lake McDonald in Montana.

Iconic routes such as the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park provide demanding adventures surrounded by extraordinary scenery. Farther south, the Enchanted Circle route near Mount Wheeler in New Mexico offers another challenging journey at the foot of the Rockies.

The region is also rich in wildlife. Yellowstone and the Grand Teton area of Wyoming are especially notable for their remarkably intact ecosystem, where grizzly bears, wolves, bison, elk, birds, fish, insects, and countless other forms of life continue to thrive.

4. The Andes

The appeal of the Andes comes from both their immense physical scale and the legends, cultures, and history embedded in their mountains. Among their towering summits is Mount Aconcagua, which rises to 22,831 feet and is the highest mountain in the Western Hemisphere.

Running for more than 5,500 miles, the Andes extend along almost the entire western side of South America. They cross seven countries and create an enormous landscape for exploration.

The region combines spectacular natural scenery with traces of ancient civilizations and more recent mountain traditions. Travelers can follow the paths once used by the Inca along the Inca Trail or experience the world of modern mountaineering in Los Glaciares National Park.

A journey through the Andes also provides opportunities to experience local food and culture. While hiking in Ecuador, travelers can sample cuy, while a cycling journey through Chile offers the chance to taste manjar.

From ancient ruins and glaciers to high-altitude communities and dramatic peaks, the Andes offer adventures on a truly monumental scale. Whatever route you choose, this extraordinary mountain range is likely to surpass expectations and leave you looking for even more.

5. The Himalayas

Legendary, spiritual, and formidable, the Himalayas are home to the highest mountain on Earth, Mount Everest, which reaches 29,029 feet. Their immense scale can leave visitors breathless in both a literal and emotional sense.

As you hike or cycle through the region, colorful prayer flags flutter in the mountain winds beside important religious landmarks. These include Bhutan’s Taktsang Monastery, better known as Tiger’s Nest, as well as numerous mountain temples scattered throughout Nepal.

The Himalayas are home not only to ancient spiritual traditions but also to a fascinating culture of modern mountaineering. Legendary climbers such as Edmund Hillary and George Mallory helped shape the history of exploration in the region, adding another layer of adventure and human achievement to these already remarkable landscapes.

The cultures found throughout the Himalayas are every bit as vivid as the mountains themselves. Their aromas, colors, sounds, flavors, and textures become part of the experience.

And perhaps the best way to truly appreciate this extraordinary world is to encounter it at close range, traveling through the mountains on foot or by bicycle and experiencing the landscape and its cultures firsthand.